Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Garden

How to successfully transplant peony plants

The key to a successful move. - by Better Homes and Gardens
  • 08 Feb 2022

WATCH: How to grow peonies in a pot

My wife has 50-year-old peony plants. She wants me to transplant them in our yard. They belonged to her aunt, so a successful move is important. Can you give me directions?

First, it's crucial that this job be completed in autumn as the plants begin to go dormant, not in spring as they prepare to bloom. Choose a spot in full sun (at least 6 hours per day), and prepare the soil with well-rotted manure and/or compost, working it in and loosening the soil down to 18 inches.

Dig the plants carefully to minimise root injury, and remove the foliage. If the plants are large, they'll probably do better if they're divided. Gently wash the soil off the large roots, then use a sharp, clean knife to divide the plant's crown. Make sure each division has 3-5 pink buds or healthy stems. 

Plant divisions at least 3 feet apart (peonies need good air circulation), and set each division in a hole so the soil level is no more than 2 inches above the buds on the root. If the peonies are planted too deeply, they may not bloom.

As it is, peonies resent disturbance and may not bloom for several years after transplanting -- especially if the plants are old. Water them well, checking for settling to make sure they are not too deep. If rain doesn't fall, water them every week or so until the ground freezes. Use a couple of inches of mulch in winter to prevent freezing and thawing from heaving the new plants out of the ground.

If you must move them in spring or summer, dig the plants carefully, disturbing the large root ball as little as possible (dig a deep, wide hole to ensure this). Then plant the peonies as soon as you can, taking care to plant them no deeper than they were growing before.

This article originally appeared on www.bhg.com.

You might also like:

How to grow peonies

How to grow peonies in a pot

Is it OK to cut down peonies after blooming?

  • Garden
  • Backyard Ideas
  • Front Garden Ideas
  • Landscape Design Ideas
Better Homes and Gardens
Better Homes and Gardens
Australia's favourite TV show, magazine and website.

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Recommended to you

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

How to grow peonies

How to grow peonies

Is it OK to cut down peonies after blooming?

Is it OK to cut down peonies after blooming?

How to kill aphids: 3 natural ways to get rid of the sap-suckers

How to kill aphids: 3 natural ways to get rid of the sap-suckers

7 easy ways to give your garden an edge

7 easy ways to give your garden an edge

{headline}

{headline}

6 ways to make a handy potting station for your yard

6 ways to make a handy potting station for your yard

What to plant in August

What to plant in August

Simple garden trick will make your tomatoes grow bigger and faster

Simple garden trick will make your tomatoes grow bigger and faster

{headline}

{headline}

How to make hot compost

How to make hot compost

How to create a parking spot in your front yard

How to create a parking spot in your front yard

Graham visits a small family garden

Graham visits a small family garden

How to make natural pesticide

How to make natural pesticide

How to repot a rose

How to repot a rose

Charlie visits a Mediterranean-style garden with salty soil

Charlie visits a Mediterranean-style garden with salty soil

How to grow pyrostegia

How to grow pyrostegia

Bhg
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Bhg Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • All Recipes
  • BHG Shop
  • Girlfriend
  • Home Beautiful
  • New Idea
  • New Idea Food
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Who
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • That’s Life
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Better Homes and Gardens

Magazine Subscription Offer

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Shop This Offer
Treat yourself to a subscription